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Logistics' IoT ambitions threatened by connectivity challenges
This is according to...
Unreliable communication networks may render logistics businesses unable to capture full value from the Internet of Things (IoT).
This is according to the 100 global transport and logistics companies interviewed by Inmarsat the global mobile satellite company for its ‘The Future of IoT in Enterprise – 2017’ report.
The research suggests that while 96% of transportation and logistics organisations believe that the success of their IoT deployments is based on reliable ubiquitous connectivity, many businesses are still struggling to access the connectivity they need.
Some 40% identified connectivity issues as one of the biggest challenges facing their IoT deployments, with only IoT skills (54%) and the integration of IoT technology (43%) seen as more problematic.
Worryingly, 28% stated that connectivity issues threatened to derail their IoT deployments before they had even begun.
Effective multi-modal, global logistics is reliant on the vast amounts of data gathered through IoT sensor technology, in order to analyse the behaviours of freight vehicles and cargo.
However, reliable global connectivity these sensors are not always able to function, blunting the ability of businesses to efficiently orchestrate their supply chains.
Mike Holdsworth, Director of Transport at Inmarsat Enterprise commented: “In an increasingly inter-connected world, more cargo is moving through more geographies and more modes of transport to reach its destinations.
“This increasing complexity brings with it new risks and uncertainties, and creates a pressing need for logistics businesses to increase their visibility over the supply chain and make efficiencies, which is where IoT can help.
“If you can monitor cargo from its point of production to its point of delivery, you can cut down on wastage, understand and adapt levels of supply and ensure security.
“With a combination of IoT sensor technologies, such as Radio Frequency Identification tags, Bluetooth Low Energy and Low Power Wide Area Networks the movement of goods and things can become more efficient.
“However, the remote location of transport networks and routes clearly poses a challenge for logistics businesses. We can see from our research that gaps in connectivity are proving problematic to successful IoT deployment.”
Grupo Espinosa: 70 years of constant evolution
Founded in 1952, Grupo Espinosa has been relentlessly supporting the publishing industry with producing more than 100 million copies every year – whether its books, magazines, catalogues or single-order custom prints. No project is big or small for Grupo Espinosa, as the facility can scale up on demand and their turnaround times are highly competitive. Grupo Espinosa works with on-demand digital press or offset press, in paperback with glued softcover binding, PUR softcover binding, stitched paperback binding, binder’s board, hardcover, saddle stitched, Spiral or Wire-O. Equipped with the experience needed for a product to leave the plant ready for distribution, Grupo Espinosa delivers anywhere inside or outside Mexico. Traditionally starting off as a black and white printing press, Grupo Espinosa has experienced transformation first hand – from colour to digital offset printing. Currently, Grupo Espinosa is also looking at making capital investments into audio books to match with the increasing demand.
So how did a seemingly local operation in Latin America become a world-renowned printing facility trusted by hundreds of clients? As Rogelio Tirado, CFO of Grupo Espinosa for the last six years says “It all comes down to our market experience and our dedication to quality”. With nearly 70 years behind them, and located in Mexico City, Grupo Espinosa has two major locations – one spanning 75,000 square metres and the other about 45,000 square metres. Both locations are controlled by a single ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system ensuring speed, consistency and quality of work. Tirado says this isn’t their only competitive advantage. He adds “Our competitive advantage is the relationship we have with customers and the trust they put in us with their intellectual property”. Speaking of trust, global publishing giant Macmillan Education exclusively partners with Grupo Espinosa for their Latin America operations, as part of Macmillan’s decentralized hub strategy. Having a facility that offered the full spectrum of service – from storing digital content to printing and distributing – was one of the major requirements for Macmillan, and Grupo Espinosa was recognized as the leading printing hub for providing this 360 infrastructure. Another factor that has led to success for Grupo Espinosa is the absolute focus on quality and time. The staff are committed to providing the best quality in the best possible time, without causing wastage of resources. Sustainability is a huge factor playing into Grupo Espinosa’s operations, and they’ve created a healthy environment with the sustainable use of paper and energy resources as well as keeping their employees – most of them associated with the organisation for over 10 years – happy. He adds, “In order to be truly successful, you need to be good to the environment, employees, suppliers, and your customers. But most importantly, you need to be sustainable, you need to have proper working conditions, pay proper salaries, proper prices for paper, source the paper from sustainable sources, pay your taxes, basically be a good global corporate citizen and that's probably one of the biggest achievements that we have.”


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Humanscale opens its India’s first ‘Humanscale Ergonomic Experience Center’ in Nagpur
Humanscale announced the opening of the ‘Humanscale Ergonomic Experience Centre’ in Nagpur, the first in India. The center is set up in association with its retail and project dealer partner Ergomix. It is located at Bilwadal apartment opposite Yashwant Stadium, Dhantoli, Nagpur and will include a range of office ergonomic products like chairs, keyboard systems, monitor arms, LED lights and height-adjustable tables.
The Center would also showcase the globally renowned ‘Freedom Chair’, the gold standard in office seating, with a starting price of Rs 1 lakh. ‘Freedom Chair’ is created by renowned ergonomics designer Niels Diffrient and is winner of 10 international design awards.
Alastair Stubbs, Country Manager India, Humanscale said, “Nagpur is poised to be the next growth powerhouse of India as per recent reports. We are extremely pleased to open this Ergonomic Experience Centre in Nagpur, the first in India, as we see a lot of potential for our products here given that both the Centre and State have in recent times been promoting the city as a major investment hub. Humanscale is on an ongoing mission to build an ergonomic India. The opening of this Ergonomic Experience Centre is one of the initiatives that we have planned to achieve this goal. Based on the response to this centre, we will also plan to open similar centers in other cities in India over the next 2-3 years.”
“Engaging key stakeholders (especially Architects, Designers, Building Project Managers, Facilities Managers ,IT Managers, Corporate Heads etc) is a critical first step in the development of an ergonomics program. It is important to elevate awareness of ergonomic concerns and understand what the common physical problems are in today’s modern office. The Humanscale Ergonomic Experience Centre will help the visitor have a firsthand experience on how one can enhance efficiency and improve the quality of work life and health at the workplace.” added Alastair Stubbs.
The showroom also features Humanscale’s latest products which will continue the company’s legacy as a leader in innovative, award-winning, user-focused design and mostly will include the chairs: Freedom Headrest, Freedom Task, Liberty Chair, Diffrient Smart Chair, Diffrient World Chair,Trea and Ballo stool. Also on display would be Monitor arms, articulating Keyboard systems, Horizon&Element Disc LED task lights, Float&QuickStand height adjustable workstation and M/Connect the first-ever monitor arm dock that integrates ergonomics and technology.
Humanscale now has locations in more than 28 countries with headquarters in New York City.

domain: news


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Google has just gave everyone an early Christmas present - the Android 4.0 AKA Ice Cream Sandwich source code has just been released to the Android AOSP directory! What does this mean? It simply means that modders such as CyanogenMod can start work on bringing ICS to your handset (including officially unsupported ones such as the Nexus One) and also allow manufacturers to start work on bringing ICS to their own lineup of handsets and tablets.
This is an unexpected surprise as the full source code was released weeks earlier than anticipated, even earlier than the officially release of the Samsung Galaxy Nexus handset. With Christmas just around the corner, lets hope some manufacturers give us a nice surprise on or before Xmas day.
Source: AOSP Site


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By Ray Birch
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.—With all the hype around Zelle, should every credit union be jumping onboard the rapidly growing P2P solution?
Not so fast, say some payments experts, pointing to numerous issues that need to be thought through.
Zelle has taken off over the last year, with reports showing double-digit growth for the P2P platform from Q2 to Q3 of 2018. The solution tallied approximately 116 million transactions in Q3 2018 for a total of $32 billion in payments, the company announced. Transaction volume increased 16% quarter over quarter, and total money moved increased 13%. Year over year, transaction volume on the Zelle Network increased 83%, while transaction value increased 67%.
Some analyses have indicated that with the number of large banks jumping on board, Zelle will soon serve 70% of the banked population.
But Tony DeSanctis, senior director, co-lead, payments practice at Cornerstone Advisors, told CUToday.info it should not be a slam dunk for Zelle within the credit union movement, that Zelle numbers may not accurately reflect consumer adoption, and that credit unions may prefer to align with Venmo, Square Cash or even Google Pay.
DeSanctis’ view is it’s wise for a credit union to keep its options open, especially since Zelle increases costs for the CU while Venmo and Square cash provide a small revenue stream.
“The challenge with Zelle, when looking outside of the top five to seven banks that own the Zelle platform, are the economics of the Zelle transaction,” said DeSanctis. “It actually costs you money, not unlike a bill pay transaction. So if I am not one of these big banks behind Zelle, I am adding yet another feature and benefit for my members that’s costing me money.”
Pros & Cons
In assessing the pros and cons of aligning with Zelle or another P2P solution, DeSanctis pointed out that with all the big banks behind Zelle, the platform is strong, representing a big percentage of consumers.
“Here is the rub, from a pure transactional economics perspective, I think Venmo and Square Cash make more sense for credit unions,” said DeSanctis. “Making money instead of spending money is always a good strategy.”
But, again, not so fast, as there are challenges with choosing Venmo or Square Cash, he said.
“When you go to the Venmo or Square Cash websites, the first thing you see is them promoting their debit card,” said DeSanctis. “They are encouraging usage of their own cards, so that is direct competition for credit unions, especially if these folks get into the lending business. And we just saw Square file for an industrial loan company charter in Utah, so they want to get deeper into banking.”
Lack of Protection
That said, DeSanctis also pointed out credit unions are already competing with the mega-banks.
“So, is this worse than competing against the big banks that own the Zelle platform? You have to give them as much of your data as you would Venmo or Square Cash. You are not protecting yourself any better in choosing any of these P2P solutions,” he said. “Bottom line, and since my roots are in finance, I always like to make money rather than spend it, when I can.”
Not a Simple Decision
Still, the decision is not that simple, acknowledged DeSanctis. He said each credit union before it makes its decision must carefully examine its member base to learn where their P2P preferences lie.
“To what extent is Zelle needed at the credit union if members are already aligning with Venmo or Square Cash?” he asked. “This is where data analytics is key. How many of your members are already using Venmo or Square Cash. You can tell because those transactions are typically tagged Venmo or Square Cash, and even Zelle. You can figure out what the adoption rate is within your membership and determine your P2P strategy.”
He added that such analysis could also lead the CU to align with Zelle, even though he believes when the credit union digs into its member data it will likely not find a large number of Zelle users.
Inflated Numbers 1.0
DeSanctis contends Zelle usage, as reported by the bank-backed P2P platform, is inflated, based on other data he has seen. He noted some reports suggest roughly 70% of Zelle transactions never leave the financial institution that originated them.
“And, in reality, as a credit union you don’t want to do that, because why pay for a Zelle transaction when you can just do an internal transfer,” he said. “Yes, the Zelle adoption is there. And Zelle is big. But you need to be aware and monitor adoption of the platform by your members. I don’t think there is an urgency now to put Zelle into your credit union, to do it ASAP, especially if your demographics and data don’t warrant it.”
Inflated Numbers 2.0
Lou Grilli, AVP of product development and thought leadership at Trellance, takes a similar stance. He said Zelle reports numbers that are somewhat inflated.
“Both Zelle and Bank of America have admitted that the number of transactions reported include those originated and received by that bank. Given this, the actual true volume may be closer to half,” he said. “With all that said, users are not limited to picking just one. The typical Millennial uses Venmo and Square cash and Facebook messenger. The only limitation is that only iPhone owners can use Apple Pay Cash. There is pent-up demand to replace cash and check with digital P2P money, and there’s not a one-size-fits all. Zelle may not be a good fit for some credit unions, due to Zelle’s bank ownership, the requirement to submit data to Early Warning (which owns Zelle), and the fees for a free-to-users service.”


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You’ve probably heard that lead has been found in drinking water, that certain kinds of fish contain high levels of mercury, and that worrisome amounts of arsenic have been found in rice. But you may not know why that’s a problem—or that these elements (and others, such as lead and cadmium), commonly known as “heavy metals,” are also in many other foods. This includes foods made just for babies and toddlers, such as popular snacks, cereals, prepared entrées, and packaged fruits and vegetables.
Over time, exposure to heavy metals can harm the health of adults and children. One of the biggest worries: cognitive development in very young children.
“Babies and toddlers are particularly vulnerable due to their smaller size and developing brains and organ systems,” says James E. Rogers, Ph.D., director of food safety research and testing at Consumer Reports. “They also absorb more of the heavy metals that get into their bodies than adults do.”
That’s why CR’s food safety team analyzed 50 nationally distributed packaged foods made for babies and toddlers, checking for cadmium, lead, mercury, and inorganic arsenic, the type most harmful to health.
Children in the U.S. eat a lot of packaged baby food. More than 90 percent of parents with children 3 and under turn to these foods at least occasionally, a new Consumer Reports national survey of more than 3,000 people found. And annual sales of baby food now top $53 billion and are projected to reach more than $76 billion by 2021, according to Zion Market Research.
Our tests had some troubling findings:
• Every product had measurable levels of at least one of these heavy metals: cadmium, inorganic arsenic, or lead.
• About two-thirds (68 percent) had worrisome levels of at least one heavy metal.
• Fifteen of the foods would pose potential health risks to a child regularly eating just one serving or less per day.
• Snacks and products containing rice and/or sweet potatoes were particularly likely to have high levels of heavy metals.
• Organic foods were as likely to contain heavy metals as conventional foods.
While those results are worrisome, parents who have been feeding these foods to their children don’t need to panic, says James Dickerson, Ph.D., chief scientific officer at Consumer Reports. He notes that consuming these foods doesn’t guarantee that a child will develop health problems, but that it may simply increase that risk. And whether problems develop depends on a host of factors, including genetics and exposure to other sources of heavy metals, such as from lead paint or contaminated water.
Our testing did have some encouraging findings for parents: It showed that 16 of the products had less concerning levels of the heavy metals, suggesting that all baby food manufacturers should be able to achieve similar results.
What’s more, there are important steps parents can take right now to reduce their child’s health risks. See “What Parents Can Do,” below.


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Mon, 08 Jan 2018 01:00:00
Bows of CEOs betray troubles facing Japanese firms
Executives of big Japanese corporations have been seen bowing deeply at press conferences in recent years, apologising, in Japanese style, for the misconduct of their companies.
Thu, 28 Dec 2017 01:00:00
Thai AirAsia CEO increases AAV stake
TASSAPON BIJLEVELD, chief executive officer of Thai AirAsia, has bought back 36.3 per cent of the shares in Asia Aviation (AAV), a 55-per-cent shareholder of Thai AirASia Co, at Bt4.70 per share amounting to around Bt8.279 billion for 1.761 billion shares.
Thu, 21 Dec 2017 17:02:07
Country Group to develop 19 rai on Rama 3
Country Group Development Plc has spent Bt1.65 billion to buy 19 rais (1.44 hectares) of land on Rama 3 to develop a mixed-use project in the year 2018, the company’s CEO, Ben Taechaubol, said yesterday.
Thu, 21 Dec 2017 16:29:48
One CEO voted one of Asia's most influential sport leaders by Philippines ABS-CBN
2017 has been a phenomenal year for sports in Asia, and the past 12 months have really been a treat for sports fans in general. These 10 big names have led their respective organizations with unparalleled passion and business sense. Let’s examine the 10 Most Influential Sports Leaders in Asia in 2017 according to ABS-CBN from the Philippines.
Wed, 20 Dec 2017 16:05:35
Tesco Lotus announces new CEO
Tesco Group on Wednesday announced its appointment of Sompong Rungnirattisai as chief executive officer of Tesco Lotus, succeeding John Christie, who will complete his contract on February 28.
Mon, 18 Dec 2017 14:33:55
Ingress autoparts has net profit dip
Listed autoparts maker firm Ingress Industrial (Thailand) Plc has reported its first 9-month earnings of Bt104 million with a consistent revenue of Bt2.14 billion, the company’s CEO Abdul Rahim bin Haji Hitam said on Monday.
Auto & Audio
Thu, 07 Dec 2017 01:00:00
A chat in Bangkok about an ‘unpleasant experience’ with Trump
Paul Polman, CEO of Unilever, has been actively involved in negotiating for the launch of the Paris Agreement. When Donald Trump became president, he announced that he was pulling the United States out of the pact.
Tue, 05 Dec 2017 09:13:15
Centara Hotels & Resorts sets out five-year vision for growth
Centara Hotels and Resorts has released significant expansion plans for the next five years after it welcomed back seasoned industry professional Markland Blaiklock, in a newly-formed role of Deputy CEO.
Sat, 02 Dec 2017 02:03:05
Wongnai chief says site is expanding its horizons
Yord Shinsupakkul, co-founder and CEO of Wongnai.com, Wongnai Media Co Ltd, said during a seminar during Thailand e-Commerce Week 2017 that Wongnai began with the intention to be an "insider” who knows the restaurant scene.
Mon, 27 Nov 2017 09:47:00
Centara appoints Deputy CEO to lead next phase of growth
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel operator, has announced the appointment of Markland Blaiklock as Deputy Chief Executive Officer, with immediate effect.
Sat, 25 Nov 2017 00:30:55
HandiGo new mobile app aims to promote tourism 4.0
Sakdidet Poolsawad, CEO and co-founder of the application “HandiGo” said that tourism has been playing an important role in spreading income to different regions of Thailand and creating jobs for locals.
Wed, 22 Nov 2017 19:12:21
TMB Bank appoints new CEO
TMB Bank has appointed Piti Tantakasem, currently the bank’s chief financial officer, to post of the chief executive officer post, replacing Boontuck Wungcharoen, according to an announcement of TMB chairman Rungson Sriworasat on Wednesday.
Wed, 22 Nov 2017 15:31:32
Major international honour for Heinecke
The founder, chairman and CEO of Minor International, William E Heinecke, has been named Corporate Hotelier of the World for 2017 by Hotels magazine.
Wed, 22 Nov 2017 07:15:43
Hackers stole data from 57 million Uber riders, drivers: CEO
Uber said Tuesday hackers compromised personal data from some 57 million riders and drivers in a breach kept hidden for a year.
Sat, 18 Nov 2017 11:36:36
Baidu self-driving tech hits road in 2018
BEIJING - Baidu’s self-driving vehicles, part of a key national artificial intelligence research project, are expected to go into trial operation next year, according to Baidu Inc Chairman and CEO Robin Li.


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BBC Worldwide will extend its global BBC iPlayer service to the iPhone and iPod touch from this Thursday, after piloting the service in countries outside of the UK on the iPad.
The video-on-demand service was initially brought to the iPad in countries across Europe, including the Republic of Ireland, and has since arrived in Australia and Canada. It will be brought to the iPhone and iPod touch to viewers in the same regions, giving an international audience access to an archive of BBC TV content.
“The global BBC iPlayer has seen great growth since the pilot first launched in July – both in terms of geographical expansion and technological developments,” said John Smith, chief executive of BBC Worldwide.
“Moving to iPhone and iPod touch allows us to take the service to a significant new potential audience and deliver fantastic programme content from the BBC and the UK’s creative industry,” he said.
Jana Bennett, president of Worldwide Networks and Global BBC iPlayer at the BBC, spoke about the platform at the Digital TV Summit this morning.
“This platform extension shows how global iPlayer isn’t just about moving TV to tablet devices, it’s also about a mobile strategy – about truly getting TV everywhere in a way that it hasn’t been before,” said Bennett.
“We also want the global BBC iPlayer to be truly representative of the whole gamut of British creative output, to represent everything that is great about British content – not just the Best of British TV but the Best of British Culture,” she said.
Expanding BBC iPlayer
From January, the global BBC iPlayer will also host external content supplied by DRG to subscribers in Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland. This content includes episodes of Peep Show, Father Ted, Shameless and Black Books.
In January, it will get two new categories – Music and Arts and Culture. Bennett also spoke of plans to add selected programmes from BBC radio to the global iPlayer service.


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Google’s recently confirmed January Pixel Feature Drop has taken a different route, focusing solely on app updates available through the Play Store. In contrast to previous Feature Drops, this one skips an accompanying Android system update. Instead, users can anticipate significant improvements delivered through in-app updates via the Google Play Store.
Notable app updates include the Pixel Thermometer app, introducing body temperature measurements, and enhancements to the Fitbit app with added logging support. The Google app features a special “cts” version (e.g., 22.214.171.124.cts.arm64) for Circle to Search, accessible through the Google app beta channel ahead of the January 31 rollout, pending a server-side component.
Key features like Magic Compose (limited to Pixel 8 Pro’s on-device Gemini Nano) and Photomoji are set for server-side updates within Google Messages. Quick Share and Seamless Audio Switching, on the other hand, rely on Google Play services.
Additionally, Google Store has issued 20% off discount codes for the Mint Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, providing an exciting incentive for users.
While the January Pixel Feature Drop leans heavily on app updates, Google assures users that the “regular February software update” will roll out early next month. The specifics of this update, potentially Android 14 QPR2, remain undisclosed. The anticipation builds for what’s to come, especially given the unconventional January approach and the likelihood of significant improvements on the horizon.


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Their woes don't end outside the U.S., however, as they are now facing an antitrust probe from the EU. Several big name companies, such as Matsushita, Nokia, Broadcom, NEC, TI and others have complained that Qualcomm's prices on their hardware have been unreasonable, to the point where they want outside regulation involved:
The companies that complained about Qualcomm have said it charged the same for using its patents for new technology as it did for an older system, even though its patents account for a far smaller percentage of the new system.
This is just a probe, and perhaps Qualcomm is fully justified in having their prices the way they do. Regardless, it still not good news for the company who is fighting so many battles.


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Five Businesses Invest $2.4 Million To Expand Or Locate in Binghamton, New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo said, “By offering new companies the opportunity to tap into New York’s world-class workforce and thrive in a tax-free environment, we have made another game-changing move to redefine the business climate in our state..”
These START-UP NY businesses will create jobs in several key industries, including biotechnology research and development, analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, audio and video equipment manufacturing, and software services. The businesses approved for START-UP NY include; Advanced Material Analytics, LLC, Charge CCCV, LLC, ClickCare, LLC, Innovation Associates, Inc., and Sonic Blocks, Inc. All will be sponsored by Binghamton University.
Empire State Development President/CEO/Commissioner Kenneth Adams said, "START-UP NY is already delivering results across New York State and showing that when you allow businesses the opportunity to grow tax-free, they take you up on your offer and create new jobs for the Binghamton community."
The latest businesses approved for START-UP NY at Binghamton University include:
Advanced Material Analytics, an analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing business locating at the Innovative Technologies Complex on the Binghamton University campus, which plans to invest $415,500.
Charge CCCV, a company locating at the Innovative Technologies Complex on the Binghamton University campus, with plans to invest $700,000.
ClickCare, an existing SAAS “Software as a Service” company, will expand to the Innovative Technologies Complex on the Binghamton University campus with plans to invest $293,000.
Innovation Associates, Inc., is a pharmacy automation firm, will expand to the Center of Excellence Building on the Binghamton University campus with plans to invest $200,000.
Sonic Blocks, Inc., a new business that designs and develops proprietary audio and video Bluetooth and WiFi speaker systems and accessories, will locate to the Center of Excellence Building on the Binghamton University campus with plans to invest $795,000.
How are Uncertain Times Altering Company Location Strategies?
Infrastructure Investment as an Economic Stimulus Tool
2020 Gold & Silver Shovel Awards Recognize State and Local Economic Development Efforts
34th Annual Corporate Survey & the 16th Annual Consultants Survey
Site Selection 2020: The Importance of “Regional Depth” with Global Reach
2019 Top States for Doing Business: Georgia Ranks #1 Sixth Year in a Row


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Atlantic Broadband Upgrades TiVo, Launches 'SeaChange' for VOD
Atlantic Broadband is launching a TiVo upgrade including a new voice remote as well as a new IP-based video-on-demand platform that will give its viewers more choice across a host of devices, the company said.
The TiVo Experience 4 and IP VOD (provided by SeaChange) launches this week in Connecticut, New Hampshire and Maine, with other markets rolling out by year's end, the company said.
MCN Indie Operators of the Year 2018 | Atlantic Broadband: A Small Op That Pulled Off a Big Task
The new TiVo interface offers "intuitive navigation and enhanced functionality, hyper-personalized viewing recommendations and an easy-to-use remote, offering conversational voice control," according to the top-10 cable operator.
Users can search for content across standard TV, DVR recordings, and on-demand and over-the-top platforms, including Netflix.
“The new experience is not only visually beautiful, but will transform the TV experience for our customers,” said Heather McCallion, VP of products and programming for Atlantic Broadband.
The smarter way to stay on top of the multichannel video marketplace. Sign up below.
Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.


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Elon Musk teases the possibility of Starlink accepting Dogecoin
Elon Musk, the entrepreneur, has suggested that satellite internet provider Starlink may begin accepting Dogecoin, the biggest meme currency.
To such a request from the community, the quirky entrepreneur reacted with the winking face emoji. Starlink’s goal is to provide high-speed broadband internet to subscribers in the most distant parts of the world. After numerous of launches, the business presently has over 2,000 operational satellites. The service is $99 per month in addition to the $499 for the hardware package.
Musk’s SpaceX may also be able to accept Dogecoin payments. According to U.Today, the space exploration corporation has already approved DOGE for a lunar mission known as DOGE-1, which is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2022.
According to U.Today, e-car maker Tesla has begun accepting Dogecoin for the purchase of certain of its items, causing the cryptocurrency’s price to skyrocket. Musk first revealed the proposal in December.
Tesla authorised Bitcoin payments in March, but then suspended them 49 days later owing to environmental concerns.
Musk reportedly encouraged McDonald’s to take Dogecoin in late January, but the fast-food behemoth allegedly laughed the proposal off.
Meanwhile, according to CoinMarketCap statistics, Dogecoin has returned to the top ten largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization.
The meme currency, along with competitor Shiba Inu, has been somewhat in the green during the last 24 hours. Polkadot (DOT) and Avalanche (AVAX) are among the worst performers, falling by more than 5%.


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2013 Guide Prices for Fisheries Products Proposed26 November 2012
EU - The European Commission has tabled its annual proposal on next year’s guide prices for fresh and frozen fisheries products, and the EU producer price for tuna processing.
After the positive trend in the market for fisheries products observed in 2010 and 2011, the deterioration of the economic situation has influenced consumer demand and fish prices.
Prices for whitefish have broadly tended towards stability or slight decline, with some positive quotations due to the growing consumption in emerging countries.
In the light of this development, the Commission proposes a range of -1 per cent to +1.5 per cent for the prices of whitefish species. Pelagic species are in demand in the EU and world-wide due to their affordable prices. Therefore the Commission proposes increasing the guide prices for pelagic species between +1.5 per cent and +2.5 per cent.
For frozen fish the prices in the international markets are mixed. The Commission proposes increases between +1 per cent and +3 per cent for Greenland halibut, whole hake, cuttlefish, octopus and squid (logigo) and reductions between -1 per cent and -2 per cent for hake fillets, swordfish, Illex and prawns (parapenaeus).
With regard to tuna intended for processing, the Commission proposes increasing the EU producer price by +2 per cent. The proposed guide prices are based on Member States' average market prices over the previous three years. Other factors taken into account include trends of production and market demand, the interests of consumers and the need to avoid withdrawals of fisheries products from the market.
For full details of the Commission's proposal, please see table: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/cfp/market/proposed-guide-prices_2013_en.pdf
TheMeatSite News Desk


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For several days we’ve seen reports of store shelves being emptied of food and household supplies leaving some people empty-handed.
“You’ve heard the saying see something, say something. How about we do something now!” Creator Darian Davis said
Darian Davis created a Facebook post after something caught her attention when she was out shopping.
“I actually witnessed an elderly couple at Walmart who was not able to get the things that they needed,” she said.
As cases of Covid-19 crept into North Dakota, stores have struggled to keep many items on the shelves, as people prepare for self-quarantine. Now, coming away with something like toilet paper is almost impossible. So Davis says she decided to do something.
“I’m making care packages for the elderly and for people who are not able to get out of their homes,” she said.
So what do these care packages consist of?”
“I thought what would my own grandparents want and I put together that for them, so, I started with the essentials, toilet paper, wipes, canned soup, bread, bananas, peanut butter, oatmeal, and just small things like that. Enough to get by for about 3 to 4 days.” Davis Said.
She says she’s been encouraging others to hop on board and create care packages of their own. Community members say they’re proud of what Davis is doing.
“With everything that’s going on and all the negativity that’s going on in the news, I feel it’s so important to have some positivity.” Local Krystal Berton said.
“Putting that video out there and encouraging other people here in our community to do the same, is beyond amazing.” Local Danielle Foss
Davis says it’s just about being a community servant, especially in times of need.
“If you see something in the community don’t just say something anymore, we need to do something,” Davis said.


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In a bold move that promises to shake up both the personal computing and semiconductor markets, Nvidia has begun making CPUs that use Arm-based core chipsets. Assisted by Microsoft, Nvidia’s new product will run Windows and could be on the market as soon as 2025.
Not to be outdone, AMD, Intel’s main rival in PC CPUs, is also entering the Arm-based PC chip market and may also be ready to sell its chips by 2025.
In 2016, Microsoft granted Qualcomm exclusive rights to make Arm-based chips for “always-on” PC laptops, which are more compact and include cellular connectivity. But that exclusivity agreement expires in 2024. In the lead-up, Microsoft has been encouraging other companies to enter the market.
Because Microsoft envisions AI-enhanced software such as its Copilot platform growing in importance as a part of the Windows user experience, the tech giant is encouraging chipmakers to build advanced AI features into the CPUs they’re developing.
As the market’s leading force in AI chips, Nvidia’s move into PC chips is a direct challenge to Intel’s longtime dominance. However, the firm isn’t new to the Arm infrastructure. Nvidia has previously experimented with Arm-based chips, specifically for data centers, and planned to acquire Arm for $40 billion in 2020 before the deal fell apart early last year.
Microsoft’s assistance is also part of its ongoing efforts to help chip companies challenge Apple and its in-house chips. Apple almost doubled its market share within three years after switching to custom Arm-based chips for its Mac computers.
According to a source quoted by Reuters, “Apple’s custom chips have given Mac computers better battery life and speedy performance that rivals chips that use more energy. Executives at Microsoft have observed how efficient Apple’s Arm-based chips are, including with AI processing, and desire to attain similar performance.”
The performance and energy efficiency of Apple’s in-house Mac chips have proven superior to Intel’s offerings in many ways. Now, Nvidia, AMD, and Qualcomm seek to shake up an industry dominated by Intel but one also coming under increasing pressure from Apple.
Apple’s move from x86 to Arm-based processors represented a huge blow for Intel. Despite remaining the world’s largest vendor of processors based on x86 architecture, Intel stands to lose its exalted status if Nvidia and AMD enter the PC chip market with successful offerings.
Already the undisputed leader in GPU technology, Nvidia achieved a trillion-dollar market valuation by capitalizing on the AI surge with its H-series graphics cards. The firm’s proficiency in AI makes its forthcoming PC offerings an attractive proposition for OEMs who want to expand AI functionality in their newest devices.
Of course, no success is guaranteed if Nvidia and AMD proceed with their current plans to break into the PC market. For example, having invested decades and billions into coding for Windows machines running x86 architecture, developers might not be thrilled about new Arm-based machines that can't seamlessly run existing software.
Intel is also working to stay ahead of the curve by packing AI features into its chips. It recently showcased a laptop boasting AI features similar to ChatGPT directly on the device. This, combined with the convenience of continued x86 support, could make switching to a competitor’s chips more of a hassle than it’s worth.
As the industry braces for the emergence of Arm-based CPUs from Nvidia, AMD, and others, the coming years will undoubtedly feature a struggle between maintaining compatibility with legacy systems and embracing the potential benefits of Arm-based architecture. This moment could be a pivotal juncture in the evolution of personal computing and time will tell which players will come out on top.


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It underscores the resulting changes in the manufacturing sector’s ability to create jobs and lift people out of poverty in developing countries. It encourages policymakers to adjust their approach to spurring job creation in manufacturing and readying workers for jobs of the future.
“Technology and globalisation are changing how manufacturing contributes to development. We will need to embrace this change rather than fear it,” says Anabel Gonzalez, the World Bank Group’s senior director for trade and competitiveness.
Gonzalez says in the past, the manufacturing sector created jobs for unskilled workers and increased productivity. In the future, developing countries will need to update their policies along with their infrastructure, firm up capabilities and job creation strategies to meet the demands of a more technologically advanced world.
Changing technologies and shifting globalisation patterns are destined to reshape manufacturing-led development strategies, says the report.
The report says trade is slowing and global value chains remain concentrated among a relatively small number of countries.
Smart automation, advanced robotics, 3-D printing and other advances being incorporated by global manufacturers of cars, electronics, apparel, consumer and other goods are shifting how countries and firms compete for production, it says.
The report comes at a time when India is struggling to generate jobs. Political battle lines have been drawn to score points over lack of jobs.
At Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi admitted that the United Progressive Alliance government had been unable to deliver on the 30,000 jobs it promised to create every day, but was quick to point out that it is a goal the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance will also fail to meet at the current rate.
“Those same people who got angry with us because we couldn’t deliver on those 30,000 jobs (a day) are going to get angry with Narendra Modi,” said the Congress leader during an interaction with students and faculty.
The government’s proposal on coastal economic zones is based on tapping export market of labour-intensive sectors such as electronics, apparel, utensils, and leather products.
Its Make In India programme is also primarily a manufacturing initiative, for both domestic and export markets.


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“Bendgate” couldn’t have come at a worse time for Apple (AAPL), as it tarnished the ballyhooed launch of the iPhone 6 just as Apple stock comes up against multi-year technical resistance.
Throw in some embarrassing problems with an update to iOS 8 — Apple’s latest mobile operating system — and anyone holding AAPL stock is going to have to wait a little while for new all-time highs.
Apple stock fell sharply Thursday after users complained that the iPhone 6 Plus can’t keep its shape. After carrying the devices around in their pants pockets, some users discovered their iPhones bent or curved. Attempts to straighten the phones led to cracks in the body and shattered screens.
At the same time, a debacle over the first update to the new iOS 8 only made matters worse. Apple had to pull the update after it caused a range of problems for users iPhones, including losing cell service to disabling the Touch ID fingerprint sensor.
Apple Stock Twice Bitten
That’s a double-whammy if ever there was one, and it comes at a time when AAPL stock was poised to hit new highs. Indeed, the months after launching a new iPhone are historically some of the best times for Apple stock. On average, AAPL stock gains 23% in the six months after debuting a new iPhone.
At the same time, for the second time in a month, Apple stock is coming up against the resistance of its previous all-time high hit back in 2012. AAPL closed above that $100 level recently, but came up against resistance and failed to take it out definitively by building on gains.
Now that level seems farther away than ever. The bendgate fiasco has just started rolling and there’s no way to tell how much it will hurt iPhone 6 Plus sales, but it’s a black eye for Apple in any case. This kind of thing just doesn’t happen to Apple, which prides itself on build-quality as much as it does the elegance of its industrial design and software.
None of the recent problems should cause any lasting damage to Apple of AAPL stock. The iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus still look good to deliver record sales figures for Apple. Shares will bounce back in relatively short order.
But these embarrassing developments move the perception of Apple a little further away from the burnished image of Steve Jobs’s company. AAPL stock has been laboring under a lower premium ever since the founder passed away. Bendgate and problems with iOS 8 sure aren’t going to get the market to pay more for Apple stock.
More From InvestorPlace
- 5 Investing Legends That Could Follow Derek Jeter to the Exits
- 5 Stocks to Sell for October
- Best Socially Responsible Funds to Buy Now
As of this writing, Dan Burrows did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities.


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Pitango, a leading Israeli venture capital firm, has launched a thesis-based web3 initiative called First Labs to meet the needs of web3 developers, investors and entrepreneurs.
Israeli venture capital launches Web3 lab
Founded in 1993, Pitango is one of Israel’s largest venture capital funds with US$2 billion in assets as of April 2022. The company invests in core technologies, consumers and life sciences at all stages, from seed to late growth.
According to the popular Crypto Potato, First Labs is the product of Pitango First’s seed and early venture fund. It aims to bridge the gap between the traditional economy and the network3.
The lab will invest in early-stage web3 startups, including those working on blockchain technology, non-fungible tokens (NFTs), asset tokenization, and metaverses.
In addition to financial support for web3 projects, First Labs will provide developers and founders with access to its extensive partner network through a mentor program.
Speaking about the development, Ayal Itzkowitz, managing partner of PItango First, noted that the company has been closely following the crypto industry for the past five years. They think now is the right time to get on board.
“We believe the time has come to bring the VC and crypto community together in a new, modern, and relevant vehicle that will foster innovation and support the creation of sustainable businesses in the Web 3.0 space,” Etzkowitz said.
The first investment DAO in Israel
First Labs is both an investment fund and a decentralized autonomous organization (DAO). The lab will manage the first investment DAO in Israel, dubbed First DAO. Pitango said it will ensure that First Labs upholds the “democratic, community-driven principles” that govern web3.
According to Aviv Barzilai, head of First Labs, the project is designed to address the “unique needs” of the crypto industry, ranging from liquidity mining to token creation.
“Our platform will enable founders and community members to connect and empower web2 companies to move to web3 with confidence. Working with leading cryptographic companies and domain experts, First Labs has the experience to open up the web3 universe and all it has to offer.”
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sign up and enter the code POTATO50 to get up to $7,000 on your deposits.
Credit : cryptopotato.com


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The ongoing component “famine” has finally hit the global smartphone industry as shipments fell by 8 per cent in the third quarter of 2021.
Stories by Sasha Karen
Contracts in the managed services market in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region dropped by 40 per cent quarter-on-quarter during the three months to 30 September, new research has indicated.
Forcepoint is set to bolster its cyber security offering with the acquisition of Bitglass for an unknown sum.
Lenovo has pulled further ahead of HP in the global PC market shipment stakes.
Partners utilising AI face an uphill battle to have their work valued by government organisations' employees as research has found a global sense of hesitancy towards the technology by the sector.
Akamai Technologies is set to acquire Israel-based security vendor Guardicore for US$600 million, adding its micro-segmentation solution to Akamai’s zero trust offerings.
The majority of CIOs around the world are looking at refining customer experience as part of their efforts to tackle new norms post-COVID, new research has found.
Cradlepoint has appointed Nathan McGregor as senior vice president of sales across Asia Pacific, joining the US-based network solutions vendor from Cisco Meraki.
Cisco AppDynamics has planned to move to a 100 per cent channel-centric route to market amid a myriad of changes to its partner program.
Telecommunications and network provider BT has launched a Cisco network monitoring platform for multinational users to find and flag faults.
A report commissioned by Amazon Web Services has claimed partners that go hard on training and certifications from the cloud giant can tap into more benefits for their business than they realise.
SAP has taken the crown in the 2020 global enterprise applications market as the vendor making the most revenue during last 12 months.
The Asia Pacific region is set to overtake North America to become the largest regional colocation market by 2022, despite being labelled as “fragmented”.
Vendor revenue from the global server market dipped during the second quarter of 2021 despite a slight uptick in server shipments.
Palo Alto Networks has widened its revenue lead as the top vendor in the global security appliance market during the second quarter of 2021, clocking in US$877.4 million during the period.


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Apple Offers Charger Takeback Program After Shocking Death
Do you have one of those (cheap) third-party iPhone chargers laying around? It may be time for a safety upgrade.
Apple just announced a new program to allow users to trade in third-party chargers for official branded USB chargers at a discounted price. Apple launched the program after news reports surfaced claiming a Chinese woman was electrocuted while talking on her charging iPhone.
A woman claiming to be the sister of Ailun Ma, the woman who was electrocuted, told the story of her sister's untimely death on Sina Weibo, China's micro-blogging service. As the story goes, Ma was planning her sister's wedding and dropped to the floor after answering a call on the iPhone 5, which was plugged into the wall to charge. Ma reportedly purchased the iPhone in an official Apple store and was using the original charger.
Apple Gets Proactive
Apple launched an investigation in mid-July and has now come out with this new trade-in program. Some media reports suggest the Chinese woman was using a third-party charger. However, Apple could not immediately be reached for comment. In an official statement, the company said:
"Recent reports have suggested that some counterfeit and third-party adapters may not be designed properly and could result in safety issues. While not all third-party adapters have an issue, we are announcing a USB Power Adapter Takeback Program to enable customers to acquire properly designed adapters.
"Customer safety is a top priority at Apple. That's why all of our products -- including USB power adapters for iPhone, iPad, and iPod -- undergo rigorous testing for safety and reliability and are designed to meet government safety standards around the world."
Starting August 16, 2013, consumers who have concerns about USB power adapters can drop them off at an Apple Retail Store or at an Apple Authorized Service Provider. For a limited time, Apple is making sanctioned USB power adapters available for $10 when you turn in a third-party adapter. The offer is valid through Oct. 18.
Apple Can't Afford More Problems
"It's probably a good time to get all these third-party chargers off the streets. Apple is being proactive and saying, 'When it doubt be safe.' They really can't afford to have more deaths," Rob Enderle, principal analyst at The Enderle Group, told us. "We've seen three incidents. One person is still in a coma. That's enough to take it seriously."
According to The Daily Mail, a Chinese man reportedly fell into a coma after suffering an electric shock as he plugged in his iPhone 4 to charge it. And an Australian woman was hospitalized after getting shocked by her iPhone, which led a consumer group there to launch a campaign to raise safety standards. Apple is listening.
"Clearly those third-party chargers are part of the problem. Whatever is causing it, Apple wants those third-party chargers off the market and out of people's hands," Enderle said. "When people are injured using your products, parents stop buying it for their kids because they just don't think it's safe and you can take a huge hit even if it's not your fault."
Posted: 2013-09-04 @ 3:52pm PT
I tried to do this. The local Apple store requires a genus appointment. The next genus available was about 4.5 hours later. I figured my time was worth the $10 to just buy an adapter off the shelf.
Posted: 2013-08-12 @ 7:46am PT
The reason why the 3rd party adapter market is so large is b/c Apple charges a ridiculous amount for their products.
Posted: 2013-08-11 @ 1:56am PT
Australian woman turned out not to be using an iPhone
Posted: 2013-08-09 @ 7:59am PT
my mom disagrees but i do think we should have to pay 10$ because you guyz already have so much on your hands.


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The luxury townhomes at McCommas and Martel, which were completed a few months ago, are set to be auctioned off Saturday. The 14 condos originally were priced in the $200,000 range, but the bidding Saturday will start at $95,000, according to the auction house. A sales video for the property, which Paul Billings bought from the original developer, is available here.
Bidders for the auction, at the Gaylord Texan, must be approved in advance. More information is available here. In the meantime, the property is open every day from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Talk to Kimberly in unit 102 if you want to see the condos.
Click to sign up for the Advocate's weekly news digest and be the first to know what’s happening in Lakewood/East Dallas.


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Top 5 Call Center Challenges for 2022
As businesses and countries work toward a next normal from the pandemic, leaders focus on the 2022 business horizon. However, the challenges from 2021 will continue into the New Year, as companies remain concerned about labor, remote work, security and supply chain issues that prevent them from meeting customer demand.
For the seventh year, we surveyed nearly 200 business leaders and decision makers representing IT, operations, finance and customer service departments across 25 industries. From those results, we produced our 2022 BPO and Customer Care Dynamics report, which outlines trends and strategies companies look to use for the coming year.
Our first blog from the report delved into the Top 3 Goals for contact centers and customer care. This second blog discusses the top challenges businesses are facing. Read on.
#1 – Availability and Cost of Labor
In the Institute of Economic Affairs 2021 Business Confidence survey, a majority of CEOs, 61 percent, are optimistic heading into 2022. Only 13 percent believe that conditions would worsen. This optimism exists in spite of costs and labor concerns. And in the same survey, while the increasing cost of operations was a concern, pandemic-related expenditures were down. And 48 percent of businesses were not expecting much change in their business performance for the first part of 2022.
In terms of labor, 69 percent of CEOs plan to expand their workforce, but 74 percent said they have problems attracting qualified people. This should not come as a surprise considering the ongoing changes in the workforce, alternately called the Great Resignation or Great Upgrade depending on who you quote.
While some companies are concerned about a potential global recession, only 11 percent are worried about inflation or rising prices. All sectors of the economy, including consumer goods, fast food, manufacturing and commercial sectors, are feeling the inflationary pinch, raising prices to compensate for higher labor, materials, energy and transportation costs. In general, most companies anticipate a positive year but will continue to monitor costs.
#2 – Technology to Support Work-from-Home
We asked survey respondents what percentage of contact center seats work from home nearly two years since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down businesses globally. This three-year timeline shows how contact center seats have shifted from on-premises to WFH to a hybrid environment.
Overall, 75 percent of companies had more than half of their contact center seats in a work-from-home (WFH) environment for 2020 and 2021. However, at the end of 2020, half of firms had 75 percent or more employees working from home. By the end of 2021, only 28 percent of companies had 75 percent or more of their seat working from home. We surmise that most companies are preparing for an agile workplace that flexes according to the employee, public health and business needs.
WFH flexibility will require companies to have agents across a mix of locations, as well as the management and technology infrastructure to support them. A Gartner study found that 60 percent of employees prefer a hybrid work model. However, the term “hybrid” is evolving to include not just a fixed number of days in the office but one that changes in response to work and personal needs. Flexibility is essential to support a workforce’s lifestyle needs while balancing collaboration, innovation and workload, making it a win-win for both employees and employers.
#3 – Data Security
Security is an ongoing challenge as companies deal with increased malicious attacks. By Q3 of 2021, the total number of data breaches exceeded 2020 annual totals by 17 percent. Cyber-attack data compromises, such as phishing and ransomware, were up 27 percent over 2020. Additionally, half of ransomware attacks steal data and ask for a ransom, making it a business continuity and data breach issue for security teams. And hackers are targeting call centers because of their distributed networks with many employees working onsite and remotely.
The damage to brands that suffer successful attacks extend far beyond legislative and regulatory. Reputational damage can be catastrophic. It will behoove organizations, and all their outsourcing partners, to balance both privacy and security in working across this new hybrid model in providing CX excellence.
#4 – Supply Chain Disruptions
Last year health-related manufacturing slowdowns/shutdowns, labor shortages and the Suez Canal blockage created a perfect storm of conditions to slow the global supply chain. The availability and shipping delays exacerbated already overwhelmed customer service teams and made it more complicated and difficult to achieve optimal customer satisfaction.
These disruptions are carrying over into 2022, though to lesser degrees. Companies are cautiously optimistic about a return to efficiency in manufacturing and logistics. In our partner survey for BlueCherry® applications, 54 percent of fashion and retail leaders said they are confident their supply chain will support their 2022 business growth initiatives. However, this positive confidence is down about 13 percentage points from where it was in 2021, when 67 percent said they were confident in their supply chains.
#5 – On-Premises to SaaS Platforms
Companies that had not begun, or completed, a digital transformation were more severely sidelined and challenged during the pandemic. Moving from on-premises to software-as-a-service (SaaS) technology platforms is a multiphase process involving many stakeholders and moving parts. From the actual technology updates to data migration to end user adoption strategies, transforming technology and internal processes can be a herculean task. Likewise, companies need to choose the right providers and partners and, per challenge #3, consider the data security and compliance needs around their industry.
In short, having the cloud infrastructure in place to support this new way of offering customer support—this redefining of what a contact center means—is causing some headaches as some companies and industries scramble to catch up.
Goals, Investments and Trends
While businesses and brands are facing new challenges as the world moves toward a next normal, several goals, investments and trends are emerging from the past couple of years’ pain points. In many ways, this could be a period of acceleration in ways to reach customers where and when they want to, using their preferred channels, and create new interactions and more lasting relationships.
For more on how business leaders are strategizing and investing in customer care and support, download your copy of our 2022 BPO and Customer Care Dynamics report. You’ll get insights and advice on how to better serve customers in an increasingly complex world.


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A self-driving truck developed by an Uber subsidiary has gone on a 193-kilometre (120-mile) beer run for Budweiser, in the latest sign yet that self-driving technology is just around the corner.
And that begs the question: What are truckers going to do for a living now?
If it lives up to its promise, driverless technology could reduce road fatalities by up to 90 per cent, decrease congestion and even reshape cities in the 21st century (though some say they could make suburban sprawl worse).
But the launch of the driverless beer delivery 18-wheeler — which travelled from Fort Collins, Colo., to Denver, without the interference of a human driver — highlights the negative aspect of the technology for job prospects.
There are some 4.4 million people employed as drivers in the U.S. alone, driving trucks, school buses, taxis, subway trains and even farm tractors. Driverless technology threatens virtually every one of these jobs.
Richard Holman, the head of General Motors’ foresight and trends unit said earlier this year that, thanks to rapid progress at tech companies like Google, driverless technology will start being commonplace by 2020 — years earlier than previously estimated.
This rapid shift could lead to an “employment catastrophe,” the Financial Times warned in a column last week, as “tens of millions of jobs” could be eliminated.
“The best thing about the automobile age was that it employed tens of millions of people to make, market, insure and drive vehicles,” Simon Kuper wrote. “Over the next 20 years, the mostly low-skilled men who now drive trucks, taxis and buses will see their jobs decimated.”
But it’s not only drivers who are at risk — the entire auto industry could see a drop in employment, thanks to a drop in demand for privately owned vehicles.
John Zimmer, president and co-founder of ride-hailing service and Uber rival Lyft, predicted last month that private ownership of cars will “all but end” in the U.S. by 2025. Using a driverless fleet promises to save families thousands of dollars per year, he argued.
Even public transit promises to be less expensive, by some 25 to 40 per cent, according to one estimate.
Lyft, like Uber, is planning to introduce driverless cars into its fleet. Uber started testing a driverless car in Pittsburgh earlier this year.
Uber recently bought Lott, the company that developed the Budweiser beer truck. The company says it plans to have thousands of driverless trucks on the road by 2017, according to a report at CNBC.
Can a basic income solve the problem?
In the wake of such potentially rapid job destruction, many are turning to the idea of the basic income as a solution.
They argue that providing a certain minimum amount of income to everyone would lessen the impact of the large numbers of layoffs ahead due to automation. It would also keep consumer demand up at a time of mass unemployment, which would be good for business.
But others fear the basic income would create a disincentive to work, and could prove to be too costly.
Also on HuffPost


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There will be no further breaks from the harmonized sales tax beyond a surprise exemption for coffee, newspapers and fast-food value meals, Finance Minister Dwight Duncan says.
Bowing to pressure from the restaurant industry and newspaper publishers – and fearful of overtaxing a cherished morning ritual – the Liberals on Thursday abandoned a scheme to slap the 13 per cent HST on papers and meals costing less than $4.
Those items – like the previously announced books, feminine hygiene products, diapers, children's clothing, and booster seats – will be taxed only the 5 per cent federal portion of the new blended levy.
But gasoline, home heating fuel, cab fares, legal and accounting services, haircuts, golf green fees, and scores of other things now subject only to the 5 per cent GST, will also be subject to the 8 per cent provincial sales tax portion of the blended tax, for a total of 13 per cent tax.
Duncan, who will introduce the HST legislation on Monday, said the cash-strapped government, burdened by a $24.7 billion budget deficit, was "not contemplating" any more exemptions from the tax that takes effect July 1.
"The decision to extend the existing exemption (for fast food and newspapers) is likely going to be all that there is," he said at a Tim Hortons outlet on Islington Ave. in Etobicoke, noting that the concession will cost the treasury $325 million.
That's bad news for, among others, the mutual fund and magazine industries, which are lobbying to continue to be exempted from the 8 per cent provincial portion of the HST.
"We're just gobsmacked," said Mark Jamison, chief executive officer of Magazines Canada, the industry's association.
"I'm quite certain that we will lose magazines. This will be the last straw. This came as a total shock because we made the same economic and cultural arguments ... as newspapers."
John Hinds, chief executive officer of the Canadian Newspaper Association and the Canadian Community Newspapers Association, hailed the move.
"It's a huge win. It will save jobs and it will save some newspapers," said Hinds, adding the tax would have cost the industry $30 million. "It's a really good example of government listening."
Tony Elenis, president and chief executive officer of the Ontario Restaurant Hotel and Motel Association, agreed it's "wonderful news."
Because both independent operators and major chains depend upon coffee and the sub-$4 value meals to generate traffic, Elenis said it would "support maintaining jobs in the industry."
That was the same argument restaurateurs used in 2004 to derail the Liberals' last attempt to end the break for inexpensive meals, billed at the time as a "fat tax" on unhealthy products.
Revenue Minister John Wilkinson said the overall tax reform initiative is about far more than appeasing aficionados of Tim Hortons "double-doubles" and Starbucks lattes.
"Millions of Ontarians who buy their morning coffee would benefit ... but the greatest benefit to all Ontarians would be the additional jobs created as a result of our tax package," said Wilkinson, who touted income tax cuts that take effect Jan. 1 and rebate cheques of up to $1,000 for low- and middle-income earners.
While there hasn't exactly been a Boston Tea Party-style revolt brewing, the Liberals may find that retreating from a tax hike on snacks and newspapers is not enough for voters.
Nancy Sidle, who was taking a break from Christmas shopping in the Tim Hortons where the news conference was held, said her condominium has told residents their fees will jump $500 each next year due to higher utilities and maintenance costs.
"That's a lot of coffees," said Sidle. "To say that people are upset would be a masterpiece of understatement."
Progressive Conservative MPP Lisa MacLeod (Nepean-Carlton) said Premier Dalton McGuinty's capitulation – after months of insisting there could be no more exemptions – is proof the Liberals are "reacting to public pressure and it's working."
"By admitting it's a bad idea now, he is confirming he was misleading Ontario all along. What else are they misleading Ontario about when they talk about the HST?" said MacLeod.


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PC Green Has a New Logo
PC Green Committee has a new logo and one student has a new HP laptop for submitting the winning entry.
Arina Anoschenko’s design was chosen as the committee’s new logo. The April 18 announcement coincided with the campus celebration of Earth Day.
On that day, students were able to see and hear about many of the school’s sustainability efforts, including Bountiful Baskets, PC Garden Club and the Environmental and Natural Resource Stewardship Program. Additionally, a recycled art exhibit featured many works from Joe Willie Smith’s arts class while students and others were able to recycle their unwanted electronic products in an e-waste recycling program coordinated by CMS/Morrell.
Thanks to all PC Committee members for their work on this event.


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CHICAGO (MarketWatch) -- Pilgrim's Pride Corp. reported strong profit and revenue increases for the fiscal first quarter, driven by higher demand as well as lower costs.
Pittsburg, Texas-based Pilgrim's Pride
Quarterly revenue reached reached $1.37 billion, up about 32 percent from the prior year's $1.04 billion.
The company attributed the gains to several factors, including the integration of an acquisition from ConAgra Inc.
"The outlook for sustained profitability in our chicken business is encouraging," said CEO O.B. Goolsby in the earnings report. "We anticipate further growth in our chicken business as we respond to favorable consumer trends and demand for high-quality, convenient meat proteins...."
Pilgrim's Pride shares lost about 4 percent to $32.75 on the Monday session.


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Oak Brook-based McDonald’s Corp. is offering voluntary buyouts to employees, according to published reports.
Sources who said they received the offers told Crain’s Chicago Business several hundred office workers received buyout offers. Crain’s reported the packages were being offered to employees at the director level and above and are scheduled to begin in July.
McDonald’s spokeswoman Terri Hickey, while not confirming the buyouts, reiterated the company is in the midst of a turnaround plan launched by CEO Steve Easterbrook last year, which looks to save the global fast food chain $500 million by the end of 2017.
“Building a better McDonald’s involves modernizing our business so we can better deliver on our customers’ expectations,” Hickey said in an email. “While we do not take these steps lightly, we are confident they will help us put our customers back at the center of everything we do.”
Crain’s also reported earlier this week that McDonald’s is near a deal to leave its Oak Brook headquarters and move to the former Harpo Studios campus in Chicago.
The company has been working to stem a long-term slide in its U.S. sales, which dropped 3 percent in the United States in 2015 alone. Easterbrook has led a number of initiatives in the company since taking over as CEO in 2015, including reducing corporate staff, revamping drive-through ordering to make it more efficient and experimenting with innovations such as touch-screen menus. The company’s move to serve its breakfast menu all day was a success, pushing up U.S. sales 5 percent by the end of last year.
In addition to staff and operational changes, the company has also become the poster child in the national debate over raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour. Roughly 2,000 protesters marched near the Oak Brook headquarters last month as the company held its annual shareholders meeting, demanding the company raise its minimum wage to $15 an hour.
Inside the meeting, a shareholder addressed the issue and asked Easterbrook if the company would turn to machines to replace workers if wages are increased.
Easterbrook said the company would always have “an important human element” because it’s in the service business. He said the kiosks and other technology options are being embraced by customers, and aren’t intended as labor replacement.
“I don’t see it being a risk to job elimination,” he said.
Source: Daily Herald


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The multiple award-winning and leading mobile operator LeoVegas is the first online casino to offer new Nolimit City video games on its website. The video slot portfolio of this casino has already been greatly expanded and will do more and more in the coming months. The deal between Nolimit City and LeoVegas was already closed in 2017. The first game that will be introduced by Nolimit City to this online casino is WiXX. The game was considered by players as well as operators, one of the best games of Nolimit City.
Relax Gaming platform
The games from Nolimit City will be released by LeoVegas on the established platform Relax Gaming. That this could be a success was demonstrated by the pilot, which was already running in January of this year. With this deal, Nolimit City, just like platform supplier Relax Gaming, ensures a bright future.
The intention is that LeoVegas adds various other games from Nolimit City to WiXX. Think of famous games such as Oktoberfest, Creepy Carnival, The Kitchen, and so on. The newest game that Nolimit City has produced is Casino Win Spin. This game will be further improved in the coming period, to make the game experience even more intense on mobile devices and computers.
Reactions to the collaboration
“The fact that our games are present on a leading platform such as that of LeoVegas only proves that our games have been noticed by operators. We believe that there are still many opportunities for us to seize! In addition, we cannot wait to introduce new games via LeoVegas, "said Malcom Mizzi, head of the Nolimit City sales department.
James Ford, the casino manager of LeoVegas, is also enthusiastic. He says: “We are delighted that we have been able to connect a young and ambitious party such as Nolimit City to our platform. We have closely monitored the growth of Nolimit City and are excited about their fresh look at new games for our casino. ”


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Offer valuable information, content, and products to connect with Gen Z and Y consumers.
As consumers begin venturing outside, brands looking to engage millennials and Gen Z consumers must meet them through their preferred channels. A recent YPulse survey found that 80% of consumers under 40 are spending time with family this summer, and 60% are heading to the beach or pool.
Create subtle ads across social media, through features like TikTok’s “For You” pages or Snapchat and Instagram Stories. Serving audio ads on streaming music services like Spotify, Apple and more can further help marketers reach Gen Z and Y.
Use geotargeting to deliver content to Gen Y and Z consumers who plan to participate in outdoor activities. Create in-app ads on popular gaming platforms, as 87% of consumers play video games on a daily or weekly basis, as per Deloitte.
[4 minute read]


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Amazon to go on hiring binge, adding 100K employees, some in Arizona
PHOENIX — Amazon announced Thursday that it planned to hire 100,000 workers across the U.S. over the next year plus, including Arizona.
The online retail giant said the jobs were full time with benefits. There were 151 openings posted online for metro Phoenix, but most of the jobs will be out of state.
“We plan to add another 100,000 new Amazonians across the company over the next 18 months as we open new fulfillment centers, and continue to invent in areas like cloud technology, machine learning, and advanced logistics,” company CEO Jeff Bezos said in a release.
Many of the jobs will be at fulfillment centers being built in California, Florida, Kentucky and Texas. More centers were under construction in other states, as well.
Seattle-based Amazon.com Inc. said it had expanded its American workforce by more than 150,000 in the past five years.
The hiring surge comes as traditional retailers cut jobs and close stores.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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- Arizona landmarks make list of must-see attractions in North America


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Posts tagged iTunes
Beats by Dre deal is taking longer than expected and now may not be finalised until late next week. Following on from our report last week about Apple acquiring the audio company Beats by Dre recent news is suggesting the deal may take longer than first expected.
Apple’s planned deal to buy Beats Electronics for $3.2 billion may not be finalized until next week, according to people familiar with the transaction. That’s a longer timetable than some people expected as recently as a few days ago.
Once the deal has been finalised it is expected that the Beats co-founders Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine will take up senior roles within Apple. It is not yet clear weather this bold move by apple is in order to inject the company with new ideas to attract a younger generation or if it is simply a deal to gain access to the Beats song library and royalty deals which would give apple preferential rates and an advantage in the streaming market for iTunes. On another note Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre are said to be making their first appearances as employees of apple in the upcoming Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) later this year.
The co-Founders of Beats by Dre Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine are set to take up senior roles within apple after the companies £1.8 million ($3.2 million) acquisition last week.
The pair are set to take up part time / advisory style positions and are said to be commuting from the Los Angeles area where Beats is based to meetings at Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino and elsewhere as necessary.
The role the two are going to actually play in influencing apples decisions is still unclear but it is thought that this may be either a move to entice younger generations or possible be a very clever decision with a view to securing deals with record labels.
Apple is said to be re-designing iTunes in order to turn around the recent drop in music sales. The acquisition of the Beats Music streaming service along with a thriving hardware business and two experienced seasoned veterans of the music industry may help the company achieve this drastic revamp while introducing new ideas and hardware sales.
Following last week’s news that iTunes Radio would be expanding to Canada within the next few months, we are hearing rumours that Apple plans expand the service to the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand by early 2014, ahead of competitor Pandora’s own expansion. The expansion could also include Nordic countries.
Apple is able to roll out its service to additional countries more quickly than Pandora because it has already signed international rights deals with Universal Music Group and other record companies. Pandora, however, relies on rights “granted by government entities” which limits its service to the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
Apple Inc. plans to expand iTunes Radio to English-speaking countries outside the U.S. by early 2014, beating industry leader Pandora Media Inc. to the U.K. and Canada, people with knowledge of the situation said.
ITunes Radio is also set to start early next year in Australia and New Zealand, where Pandora already operates, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the plans aren’t public. Nordic countries are also being targeted in the same time frame, the people said.
First introduced alongside iOS 7 in September, iTunes Radio is currently limited to listeners in the United States, though users in other countries can skirt restrictions with a U.S. iTunes account.
Apple’s senior vice president of Internet software and services Eddy Cue has said that launching iTunes Radio worldwide is a top priority for the company, with Apple ultimately aiming to have the service “in more than 100 countries.”
Over on the MacRumors forums there has been a post recently regarding the new iTunes 11 release. The notification has asked artist’s and labels to provide iTunes with images of the artist to be displayed alongside their music in the new store layout.
The email in the image above was originally in German and has been translated into English, hence the bad grammar, The message is said to have been sent by German music distribution service Feiyr. however the authenticity of this email is yet to be verified.


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Stormzy’s publishing imprint #Merky Books announces its first children’s book of Superheroes
Titled Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength, the comic-style publication aims to address the lack of representation in children’s books.
- Ayla Angelos
- 29 June 2021
#Merky Books has announced its first children’s book, titled Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength and launching on 16 September 2021.
The book is in comic-strip style and illustrated by Denzell Dankwah, who’s currently studying a BA in illustration at the University of Gloucestershire. It also features over 50 British figures chosen by the publishing team plus British musician and #Merky Books founder Stormzy – who last year launched his single Superheroes and has written the book’s introduction. These figures include athlete Dina Asher-Smith, comedian Mo Gilligan, artist Yinka Ilori, writer Candice Carty-Williams, baker Liam Charles, model Jourdan Dunn, scientist Dr Ann-Marie Imafidon, writer-director Reggie Yates, former footballer Ian Wright plus many others spanning art, activism, sport, film, TV, music, science, food, fashion and literature.
According to research conducted by BookTrust, only seven per cent of children’s books published in the UK between 2017 and 2019 feature characters of colour. As such, Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength strives to combat this lack of representation with over 50 of its characters coming from underrepresented communities. “It was so important to us at #Merky Books to publish a children’s book filled with positive representation, allowing the younger generation to see themselves represented in a way that they may not have experienced before,” Tallulah Lyons, assistant editor at #Merky Books, says in the release. “Unfortunately, there is still a distinct lack of representation in children’s books and we know that it is vital that children see themselves in the books they read growing up.
“Superheroes is packed full of amazing modern day ‘superheroes’, all of whom have taken their unique talent, passion and skill and have turned it into something extraordinary. I hope after reading this book, children everywhere are inspired and know that they can achieve whatever they set their mind to.”
Inspired by the format of comics, the book sees each superhero share their own story and superpower, as told by Sophia Thakur, an award-winning performance poet, author and songwriter. Sophia says in the announcement: “The earliest seeds that are planted often influence the rest of the garden. If from a young age, we only really meet Blackness from a position of weakness, of slavery and shootings… stereotypes and racist media… as children, we don’t get an opportunity to develop a healthy and confident outlook on what it means to be Black. It was important to work on this book to plant a new seed of celebration. Of Black excellence into our young minds who will hopefully bloom into their very own superheroes. Confident and powerful.”
One of the superheroes featured is Rachael Corson, co-founding managing director of hair product company Afrocechix, who says of the book: “I want kids to look at what Joycelyn and I have achieved, two young Black girls that grow up poor in London, and know they can do anything they set their minds to and go after. I want others to fulfil their potential and live their best lives, knowing that the ‘heroes’ in this book have worked hard to pave the way for their greatness.”
#Merky Books was founded in 2018 by Stormzy and Penguin Random House UK, and has since become an award-winning publishing imprint that aims to create stories that are underrepresented in the industry. Additionally, Stormzy set up the #Merky Foundation as a registered UK charity in 2019, providing funding to organisations, charities and movements that are fighting racial inequality, justice reform and Black empowerment in the UK. Eight per cent of proceeds from Superheroes: Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength will be donated to the #Merky Foundation.
Last year for our feature Once upon a time, in the homogenous world of children’s book illustration…we spoke to illustrators and publishers about the despairing lack of diverse representation in children’s book characters and the people who create them, looking to explore why it happens and how it can change.
#Merky Books: Superheroes, Inspiring Stories of Secret Strength. Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon (Copyright © #Merky Books, 2021)
About the Author
Ayla is currently covering Jenny as It’s Nice That’s online editor. She has spent nearly a decade as a journalist, and covers a range of topics including photography, art and graphic design. Feel free to contact Ayla with any stories or new creative projects.


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The Google Play Store is bigger than ever — but making money is still a challenge for Android developers.
That's the findings of a new report from app analytics firm App Annie, which says Google Play downloads are growing at a much higher rate than Apple's App Store, but iOS developers still see far more revenue than their Android counterparts.
See also: The 100 best iPhone apps of all time
Google Play Store downloads outpaced those from Apple's App Store by almost 100%, according to App Annie's 2015 retrospective report, which looked at trends in both app stores in 2015.
The company credits Google Play's growth to Android's prevalence in emerging markets like Brazil, Turkey, India, Indonesia and Mexico. Such countries accounted for almost half of the app store's growth, according to the report. App Store downloads, on the other hand, appeared to be relatively unchanged from this time last year.
But despite the increase in overall downloads, Android developers are still seeing far less revenue from their apps, though both stores "made considerable gains" in 2015, the report says. In 2015, Apple's App Store made 75% more revenue than Google Play, up from 70% more in 2014.
While this may not be great news for Android developers, App Annie's analysts are optimistic that both downloads and revenue will continue to grow, especially in emerging markets.
"Device penetration remains relatively low in a number of emerging markets, and future increases are likely to bolster download growth," the report says. "Store revenue will continue to grow as audiences broaden and monetization options such as in-app subscriptions gain further traction in the coming year."
The report also notes that iOS downloads and revenue are surging in China, mostly thanks to Apple's larger iPhones. App Store revenue in China doubled in 2015 compared with 2014, as downloads grew by 20%. App Store growth was so large, in fact, that App Annie predicts its revenue in China could outpace Japan in 2016. App Store revenue in Japan is second only to the United States.
You can check out App Annie's full report here.


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The Toyota Fortuner SUV has witnessed a massive 277% price hike since its original launch in India back in 2009. The range-topping Fortuner GR-S variant now costs Rs. 51.44 lakhs, up from Rs. 18.54 lakhs in 2009.
When first introduced, Toyota aimed to sell 2,000 Fortuner units annually at its then starting price of Rs. 18.45 lakhs. The SUV swiftly became an aspirational icon with unmatched popularity.
Successive price hikes, rising input costs, taxes and lack of direct rivals like the discontinued Ford Endeavour have fueled the Fortuner’s price growth. The special Legender and GR-S variants carry even higher premiums.
On-road prices of the flagship Fortuner GR-S 4×4 exceed Rs. 60 lakhs today, making it a very exclusive proposition.
Under the hood, the Fortuner offers a choice of 2.7L petrol and 2.8L diesel engines mated to manual and automatic transmissions. 4×4 variants get rugged off-roading capabilities.
While the exponential 277% price increase over 14 years is eye-watering, the Fortuner’s aspirational appeal and loyalty remain undiminished. However, its current elite pricing may limit accessibility for many buyers going forward.
Read more news:


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The iControlPad was one of the first iPhone-compatible game controllers to hit the market. It was a bit bulky, and didn’t garner much developer support. But nevertheless, it was a pioneer.
Well it looks like the folks behind the accessory, Product 3 LLC, haven’t been resting on their laurels. They just announced the new iControlPad 2, and it comes with a host of new features…
The group says that the inspiration for iControlPad 2 mostly came from user feedback. They’ve made several adjustments, including adding a 55-key keyboard and additional rapid fire keys.
Also, the controller’s housing is now made of both metal and plastic, for more durability, and the phone cradle has also been upgraded. And, it can game for 12-14 hours straight on a single charge.
But perhaps the most interesting thing about the gamepad is that it’s completely open source. It will connect to almost anything — iOS and Android devices, Macs, PCs, Linux systems. If you’re building a mechanical robot and need a controller, this will work. It’s completely hackable.
Product 3 says that it has working prototypes, and it’s enlisted the help of Kickstarter to raise $150,000 to start production. If you want one, a pledge of $69 gets you on the pre-order list.
The iControlPad2 may not look as refined or polished as some of the other iPhone-friendly gamepads out there. But if it’s aimed at hackers and hardware-modders, it doesn’t have to.
What do you think?


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Chery International intends to soon join the list of Chinese car makers setting up shop in India. The auto maker from the neighbouring country has been reportedly planning to make an entry in the fast-growing automobile market, according to a report by The Economic Times.
Chery is already engaged in a partnership back home in China with Jaguar Land Rover, which is owned by Tata Motors. The Chinese company may explore its ties with the Indian auto giant to enter Indian auto markets, or even join hands with other partners, if need be, the report quoted Chery’s Chairman Yin Tongyao.
Chery International is a state-owned car company which is also the top auto exporter in the country. The company has sold over six million units since it commenced operations 20 years ago. Tata Group held talks with its partner in China recently over pooling resources in the direction of vehicle platforms and engines, and Chery’s possible arrival in India.
Meanwhile, several Chinese auto companies have finalised plans to enter India, whereas some are in the middle of talks. SAIC Motor Corporation Ltd, one of the largest automotive companies in the world, announced its plan to enter the Indian automobile market with a fully-owned car manufacturing facility, to be set up in the country earlier this year in June.
The $100 billion Chinese company, with core businesses spanning design, manufacturing and supply of components besides partnerships with global giants such as Volkswagen and General Motors, is expected to commence operations in India in 2019.
SAIC is expected to pick up General Motors’ Halol plant in Gujarat as the American company is desperately trying to sell its assets as it plans to exit the Indian market. The handing over process is in its last stage. The SAIC is the largest Chinese carmaker and is targeting India, which is slated to be the third-biggest auto market in the world by 2020.
The company will launch mobility solutions under the iconic MG (Morris Garages) brand. MG, which originated as an iconic British racing sports brand in 1924, has now evolved into a modern-day innovation. SAIC also owns other auto brands, including Roewe and Maxus, and acquired the MG brand in 2008.
Moreover, India’s ambitious plan to push electric vehicles at the expense of other technologies could benefit Chinese car makers seeking to enter the market. This could, however, hurt the prospects of established automakers in the country who have so far focused on making hybrid models.


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16 Sep On the 8th of September, Lithuanian business representatives had an exceptional opportunity to visit “Data Inn”
On the 8th of September, Lithuanian business representatives had an exceptional opportunity to visit “Data Inn”
On the 8th of September, Lithuanian business representatives visited the data center “Data Inn”, where they not only had a chance to get a glimpse at where the data of „BTT Group“ clients and some biggest Lithuanian businesses is being stored, but also had an exceptional opportunity to meet with the leading software defined storage vendors “DataCore Software”.
The event was opened by Ilpo Wilkman, “DataCore Software” Regional Manager (Nordic & Baltic), who introduced their software platform “DataCore Storage” to the guests of the event. The partner of “BTT Group” gave a thorough explanation of how this platform can maximize IT infrastructure performance, availability and utilization by virtualizing storage hardware.
The head of sales of “Data Inn” Juozas Rumbutis presented the data center, which is one of the most effective „Tier III“ data centres in East Europe and is the only one in Lithuania which has both Tier III Certification of Design Documents and Tier III Certification of Constructed Facility. After the presentation the project manager Tomas Meškauskas gave a guided tour of “Data Inn”, data center and the CEO of “BTT Group” presented the advantages of information technology in business.


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In a strange year, our collective focus well and truly turned to our health and wellbeing. And some unexpected trends emerged in beauty, too.
It’s said to aid wound healing, reduce muscle waste and improve skin elasticity as we get older, but does collagen powder really stack up?
What’s old is new again, with more and more of us rediscovering the beauty of skincare tools that were popular decades and even centuries ago.
Scroll back through the year’s biggest beauty trends – and get a sneak peek of what’s slated for hair, skin and make-up in 2020.


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According to a report by Reuters, a new US federal privacy law is unlikely to make it through Congress in 2019. Earlier this year most industry participants expected a new federal law to be complete by year end. Law makers have been unable to forge a consensus on key issues including whether federal laws should pre-empt existing state laws such as California’s Consumer Privacy Act (“CCPA”). Other thorny issues include data portability and penalties for non-compliance.
The lack of a new federal law means that companies operating in the US will need to focus first on complying with California’s CCPA law by January 1, 2020 its effective date. California is the largest state in the US by population and is also home to many of the leading tech and payment companies including Google, Facebook, Apple and Visa. Companies collecting data, including transaction data used for card-linking programs, will need to carefully review the CCPA and ensure they are in a position to comply.
Register now for CardLinx East in Washington DC


text: Business guru and author Tom Peters will deliver the Wednesday keynote address at the second annual Fine Jewelry CEO Summit, taking place Feb. 20–22, 2007, in Atlanta. The address is sponsored by Collectors Universe Inc. companies Gem Certification & Assurance Lab and American Gemological Laboratories. Immediately after his keynote address, Peters will lead a CEO-only private roundtable session sponsored by Collectors Universe Inc. This exclusive session will allow leaders to pose questions about the challenges they face. The VNU Fine Jewelry CEO Summit is an exclusive, invitation-only forum for senior-level major jewelry retail executives. Rio Tinto Diamonds is the principal sponsor for the 2007 event. For more information, call (646) 654-4950 or visit www.JewelryCEOSummit.com.


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Original Post – https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc-yCsYlA71/
All Credits to Iota.News By Nala
Germany: IOTA does not use blockchain technology as is the case with Bitcoin, but so-called Distributet Ledger, an open, decentralized database. Transactions in IOTA are not connected with each other on the basis of chronological blocks but in the form of a spider web, which makes transactions fast and scalable.
This, in turn, makes the IOTA transaction technology exciting for Bosch, which is currently undergoing transformation from automotive supplier to IoT solutions company. In order to send data and transactions between machines and terminals in bulk and in real time, IOTA seems to be a good vehicle.
Bosch’s investment in IOTA could provide the virtual currency with the missing boost so far. By the end of 2018, as it has now become known, first strategies for a market launch should be presented. Just a few weeks ago, the price of IOTA skyrocketed, making the cryptocurrency the fourth largest after Bitcoin, Ethereum and Bitcoin Cash. Reason for the increase was the announcement of the IOTA Foundation to build a trading center for IoT sensor data.
Source:automobilwoche . de


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The Israeli car market maintained its strength in the first quarter of 2018, statistics from Israel Vehicle Importers Organization showed. A total of 29,037 vehicles were delivered to purchasers in March alone, an increase of 3 percent over March 2017. Altogether, 94,340 vehicles were delivered in the first three months of 2018, 4.3-percent fewer than the same period a year ago.
The most popular vehicle nameplate sold in Israel in the first quarter was Hyundai, with 14,898 vehicles delivered to buyers, 3.8-fewer than during the same period in 2017. Kia was the second most popular, with 11,382 vehicles delivered, a drop of 1 percent in the first quarter of 2018 compared to a year earlier. Third place was taken by Toyota, with 9,872 vehicles, 4-percent fewer than a year earlier. For the first time, a hybrid vehicle was the most sold during the quarter – the Hyundai Ionic, with 4,149 vehicles delivered.
Industry experts had predicted a sharp drop in car sales in the beginning of 2018, but told Globes that the continuing stability of the market appeared to be due to the continued strength of the shekel, which makes vehicles cheaper in shekel terms. The market was retaining its strength despite a marked reduction in purchases by fleets and leasing companies, the experts said.